2/28/22: UE AAUP releases Statement on Efforts to Restrict Education on Race, Gender, and Sexuality
Statement on Efforts to Restrict Education on Race, Gender, and Sexuality
In recent months, legislative bills aiming to restrict education on race, gender, and sexuality in schools, colleges, and universities have been introduced in states across the country. A common priority of these bills has been the suppression of discussions of racism in classes on American history. The rationale behind these efforts is generally that education on race, gender, and sexuality must be controlled and constrained by politicians because many American schools, colleges, and universities teach those subjects in a manner that is harmful and divisive.
We, the University of Evansville chapter of the American Association of University Professors, oppose such bills. Rather than being a site for restriction and exclusion, we believe that the classroom should be an open and inclusive space in which students are taught how to engage with challenging subjects in a safe and responsible manner. This kind of teaching can only occur when such subjects are explored in their full breadth and complexity. In the cases of race, gender, and sexuality, explorations of this nature often involve the study of historically marginalized groups, such as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities, women, and LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer +) communities. Just as the teaching of the histories of these groups should be honest and accurate, so the teaching of the cultures of these groups should be informed and respectful. It is when these minimal standards are not met that education on race, gender, and sexuality becomes harmful and divisive.
We also believe that legislative bills that seek to define how education on race, gender, and sexuality is offered at universities are an affront to widely endorsed principles of academic freedom. At the University of Evansville, as at many universities, the faculty has primary responsibility over such areas as curriculum, subject matter, and methods of instruction. When professors design courses, they shape the course content to draw upon their areas of expertise and they use their teaching experience to choose the best teaching methods for that content. This means that, when complex subjects like race, gender, and sexuality are investigated in the classroom, those investigations are led by professors trained in those subjects who know how to select suitable class materials, to facilitate nuanced discussions, to conduct engaging in-class activities, and to set relevant assignments. For politicians with no teaching experience and no scholarly background in the subjects of race, gender, and sexuality to be making decisions regarding how those subjects are taught is not in the best interest of students.
The official core values of the University of Evansville include integrity, intellectual curiosity, inclusive community, and education for the whole person. In offering this statement, we reaffirm those values, and we express our opposition to any and all efforts to infringe upon them.
10/20/21: UE AAUP launches UnitE campaign
In glorious October sunshine, the UE AAUP launched its new UnitE campaign. Students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni gathered on the lawn outside the Ridgway center to take part in the event. Chapter members distributed cupcakes, handed out t-shirts, and offered information on the new campaign. UnitE has got off to a great start!
10/18/21: UE AAUP to launch UnitE campaign
The University of Evansville chapter of the AAUP will hold a launch event for its new campaign, UnitE.
- Day: Wednesday, October 20th
- Time: 12:00 – 1:00
- Location: East Terrace Lawn (i.e. the grassy knoll just across from Ridgway University Center)
- Freebies: T-shirts and cupcakes
All members of the UE community – students, staff, administrators, faculty, and alumni – are invited to attend.
The UnitE campaign will see the members of the UE AAUP chapter opening dialogues with individuals and groups from across the UE community and beyond it. The goals of these conversations are to:
- Share perspectives
- Exchange Ideas
- Promote understanding
- Foster relationships
- Build community
The UnitE campaign welcomes participation from all members of the UE and Evansville communities. If you would like to get involved, please e-mail the UE AAUP chapter at ueaaup@gmail.com.
10/14/21: UE AAUP publishes article on UE realignment in Academe
The Fall 2021 issue of the AAUP’s Academe magazine contains an article by the UE AAUP’s Chief Content Officer, Robert Baines, titled “Dissecting the Tactics of the University of Evansville’s Realignment.” The article explores how the tactics used by UE’s senior administration during the 20/21 realignment process relate to AAUP-recommended standards and principles.
UE AAUP 